Laparoscopic bladder-neck suspension for urinary stress incontinence in women: our first twenty patients

Laparoscopic bladder-neck suspension for women with urinary stress incontinence avoids the problems associated with a large abdominal incision. This study reviews the short-term outcome of this minimally invasive operation.

Between September 1993 and February 1995, 20 female patients with type II urinary stress incontinence underwent laparoscopic bladder-neck suspension at our institution (mean age, 46.6 years; mean weight, 59.5 kg; mean duration of symptoms, 3.75 years; mean follow-up, 7 months). The extraperitoneal space was created with a preperitoneal distention balloon system; dissection of the bladder and bladder neck was done via 3 working ports. In 16 patients, the paraurethral vagina on either side of the bladder neck was hitched up to the iliopectineal ligament by 2-0 sutures. In the remaining 4 patients, the bladder-neck suspension was performed using hernia mesh and staples. Four patients had intraperitoneal suspension.

The operative time ranged from 75 to 205 minutes, with a mean of 111.5 minutes. The period of urethral catheterization ranged from 2 to 7 days, with a mean of 3.1 days. The hospitalization stay ranged from 5 to 15 days, with a mean of 6.35 days. Thirteen patients (65%) had complete resolution of symptoms, 5 patients (25%) reported significant improvement, and 2 patients (10%) did not benefit from the operation.

Long-term follow-up is necessary to determine the efficacy of this laparoscopic technique. The success rate for any incontinence procedure is usually inversely proportional to the duration of follow-up.